Tickets, at $94, 57, 35, may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at West 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in NYC. For more information, call our Box Office at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com.

***

John Rutter, conductor, a native of London, is well known on both sides of the Atlantic as a composer, conductor, and recording artist. His compositions span choral and orchestral works, carols, school operas, popular music, and music for television. He was director of music at England's Clare College from 1975-79, later forming the Cambridge Singers, a mixed-voice choir that has recorded over two dozen albums, many for his own label, Collegium. In the last few years, several of his recordings have reached Billboard magazine's Classical Top 25 chart. Recently, he initiated the Collegium Choral Series, a music-publishing project aimed at making available to choral groups works performed by the Cambridge Singers.

Jung-Eun Byun was born in Korea and began piano studies at the age of 5. She won many prizes and was accepted into the leading music school in Seoul (Sun-hwa Art high school) with a Young Artist Scholarship. At 16, Jung-Eun was accepted into the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University to study with Leah Horowitz, and had lessons with Lev Vlassenko, later continuing with Natasha Vlassenko. She graduated with her bachelor of music performance in 1996 and her master of music performance in 1998. Ms. Byun has performed in many concerts and competitions, including a recital at the Sydney Opera House in 1997 and in the same year, she received the Owen Fletcher Scholarship from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Since 1999, Ms Byun has been teaching piano at the Young Conservatorium (QCGU).

Coloratura soprano Rachele Gilmore is gaining national attention with her silvery timbre, dynamic stage presence, and easy vocal production. This season she makes her debut with New Jersey Opera Theater as Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance; she then returns to Italy for her second summer with Opera Ischia, and wraps up 2007 at the Orlando Opera singing the role of Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni. Previous performances include the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor with Center City Opera Theater in Philadelphia, Adina in L'elisir d'amore with the New Opera Festival di Roma, and various concert and recital programs. Ms. Gilmore has performed and covered roles in the Florida Grand Opera Young Artist Ensemble and Glimmerglass Opera Young American Artist Program. Today marks Ms. Gilmore's Carnegie Hall debut.

Mezzo-soprano Sarah Mattox has sung principal roles with Seattle Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Amarillo Opera and Tacoma Opera. Ms. Mattox made her professional debut with Seattle Opera as Feodor in their production of Boris Godunov. A sought-after concert soloist, Ms. Mattox has appeared with the Seattle Symphony in Copland's Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Schumann's Das Paradies und die Peri, and for the September 11th Mozart Requiem tribute performance. Additionally, she has appeared with the Portland Chamber Orchestra, the Jefferson Baroque Orchestra, the Northwest Sinfonietta and the Cascade Festival of Music.

An avid supporter of new music, Ms. Mattox premiered Morgan's Lament, a scena by Angela Turley. She also performed The Witch in Richard Brooks's Rapunzel, Thyrsis in Bern Herbolsheimer's Aria da Capo, the title role in Ned Rorem's Bertha, Miss Jessel in The Turn of the Screw, and Nancy T'ang in Nixon in China. Ms. Mattox composed and performed her first song cycle, Fragments of a Portrait, in the Sunriver Music Festival's Fireside Concerts.

William Ferguson, tenor, recently joined the roster of The Metropolitan Opera and made his debut last summer with the Santa Fe Opera as Caliban in the North American premiere of Thomas Adès's The Tempest. In 2005, he performed in Sydney with Opera Australia singing Truffaldino in a new production of The Love for Three Oranges directed by Francesca Zambello. Mr. Ferguson is also a regular artist at The New York City Opera where his performances have included the title role in Candide, Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, and Hérisson de Porc-Épic in L'Étoile, among others. Further credits include Bentley Drummle in Miss Havisham's Fire at Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Andres in Wozzeck with Opera Festival of New Jersey, the title role in Albert Herring directed by Lotfi Mansouri at The Music Academy of the West, Gonzalve in L'Heure Espagnole and Fenton in Falstaff at the Tanglewood Music Center, and Peter Quint in The Turn of the Screw at the Chautauqua Institution. In summer 2005, Ferguson appeared in both opera and concert at the Bard Music Festival, and in the winter of 2001, performed the Sailor with The Gotham Chamber Opera in its acclaimed production of Dido and Aeneas. He holds both his bachelor's and master's of music from The Juilliard School.

A passionate concert and recital performer, Mr. Ferguson has appeared with Orchestra of St. Luke's, The American Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra of New York, The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, The International Sejong Soloists, The Richmond Symphony, The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, and The Bellingham Festival Orchestra, and in recitals for the 92nd Street Y, Young Concert Artists, Delaware Master Chamber Series, and Clarksville Community Concerts, among others. Ferguson has four times sung programs with The New York Festival of Song and has twice been presented in recital at the Kosciuszko Foundation as part of the Marilyn Horne Foundation Recital Series, broadcast over WQXR New York radio.

James Bobick, baritone, has had a versatile career, with roles ranging from Elviro in Handel's Xerxes at New York City Opera to Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, a role he repeated in 2003 for Connecticut Opera. He has been seen on two New York City Opera telecasts-as Schaunard in the Emmy-winning broadcast of Puccini's La bohème in 1997, and John Shears in Paul Bunyan in 1998. Among the 20-plus roles he has sung for New York City Opera are Kinesias in Lysistrata at New York City Opera, Ping in Turandot, Faninal in Der Rosenkavalier, Masetto in Don Giovanni, and St. Brioche in The Merry Widow, along with the above-mentioned Schaunard and Elviro. Mr. Bobick recently made his debut with Seattle Opera in the leading role of Bendrix in Jake Heggie's The End of the Affair, and has also appeared with Wichita Grand Opera, Opera Omaha, Opera Pacific, Opera Delaware, Baltimore Opera, Dayton Opera, Central City Opera, Fort Worth Opera, and Opera Colorado, and the Bard Festival.

Mr. Bobick has also had a busy concert career. He most recently performed Carmina Burana with the National Chorale at Avery Fisher Hall. At Carnegie Hall, he has been heard in Carmina Burana and Mendelssohn's Die Erste Walpurgisnacht with the Oratorio Society of New York. Around the country, he has performed Brahms's Ein Deutsches Requiem, Mozart's Requiem, Bach's Magnificat and B-Minor Mass, Handel's Israel in Egypt and the title role in Saul, in Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, and in Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio. He was heard in Handel's Messiah in Prague with the Prague Symphony, and in the Fauré Requiem in Paris, Reims, and Chartres, with the Orchestre Pasdeloup.

Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse, artistic director and principal conductor of the New England Symphonic Ensemble, is a violinist, pianist, composer, and conductor. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Boston University, and the Peabody Conservatory, Dr. Rittenhouse has performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Africa, and the West Indies. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the London Associate Board Overseas Award, the New York Concert Artists Guild Award, the International Music Guild Award, and the New York Madrigal Society Award.

New England Symphonic Ensemble was organized more than two decades ago by Dr. Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse. Since 1982 the ensemble has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, Russia, and Israel, and has performed frequently at Carnegie Hall under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions.

Over the past 23 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.

Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 900 concerts worldwide and more than 765 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

More than 2500 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New York, as have more than 100 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There have more than 300 guest conductors, 650 solo artists, and over 100,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall.

In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres.

For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Susan Case at 212-239-0205 or scase@midamerica-music.com

Tickets, at $94, 57, 35, may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at West 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in NYC. For more information, call our Box Office at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com.

***

Raymond Hughes, chorus master at the Metropolitan Opera since 1991, graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Georgia in Liberal Arts. While pursuing graduate studies in music at the University of South Carolina under the tutelage of the late Dr. Arpad Darazs, he worked as assistant conductor of the USC Concert Choir, during which time the choir won first prize in the 1976 Bela Bartok Choral Competition in Debrecen, Hungary. After additional studies in conducting at Indiana University and the Aspen Choral Institute, he settled in Germany to concentrate on opera, holding successive conducting posts with opera companies in Kaiserslautern, Nuremberg, and Mainz. In 1984, he was appointed resident associate conductor at the State Opera in Pretoria, South Africa, and in 1986, took up the position of chorus master and associate conductor at the Cape Town Opera, as well as music director of the renowned Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town. During his tenure in Cape Town-where he conducted as many as 88 opera, choral, and orchestral performances in one season-he returned to the USA for two successive summers as opera conductor at the Brevard Music Festival in North Carolina. He was principal guest conductor of the chorus of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecelia in Rome, Italy, during the 1990-1991 season.

Since coming to New York, he has collaborated with Metropolitan Opera artistic director James Levine in frequent international tours to Spain, Germany, and Japan; in numerous audio and video recordings; in the 1996 debut-and in several subsequent seasons-of the Metropolitan Opera Chorus in concert in Carnegie Hall; as well as 16 seasons of the Met's daily performances and frequent broadcasts.

Mark Hayes was raised in a creative music environment, beginning piano lessons at ten years of age and developing his improvisational skills at an early age. His musical talents grew through the support of his family and through playing at church and school events. He earned a bachelor of music degree in piano performance, magna cum laude, from Baylor University. During his college years Mark's dream of becoming a composer and arranger was born and nurtured.

Hayes's music is now found in the music libraries of churches and universities around the world. His compositions and arrangements are known for their unique American sound, drawing from diverse musical styles such as gospel, jazz, pop, folk, and classical. Mark's personal catalog, totaling over 600 published works, includes works for solo voice, solo piano, multiple pianos, orchestra, jazz combo, small instrumental ensembles, and choruses of all kinds. Mark is honored to have his works regularly featured at conventions of the American Choral Directors' Association (ACDA) and the Music Educators' National Conference (MENC). Hayes is regularly commissioned by churches, universities, children's choruses and community choruses to write original choral works.

Terry Russell joined the Southwestern College music staff after completing a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting at the University of Miami. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Terry Russell also holds a master of music degree from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and a bachelor of music degree from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. Ms. Russell has been director of choral activities for public schools and colleges throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as well as South Florida at Indian River College and the University of Miami. She has acted as guest clinician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Miami, the University of Missouri-Kansas City and U.W. Janesville. A member of the national honor societies of Pi Kappa Lambda and Pi Lambda Theta, Ms. Russell is also an active member of the ACDA and the MENC.

Young mezzo-soprano Lori-Kaye Miller was lauded by Opera News as "a rich-voiced Brigitta" in her debut in New York City Opera's production of Die tote Stadt. Career highlights include the roles of Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro with Michigan Opera Theater, Opera Carolina, and Minnesota Opera, Annio in La clemenza di Tito also with Minnesota Opera, Dorabella in Così fan tutte with El Paso Opera, Tamiri in Mozart's Il re pastore with Lake George Opera Festival, Lola in Cavalleria rusticana and the title role in Carmen with Boheme Opera, and a semi-staged concert of Cilea's Adriana Lecouvreur with the Opera Orchestra of New York. With Tri-Cities Opera, she has performed Carmen, Giulietta in Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Stéphano in Roméo et Juliette, and Tituba in The Crucible, among others. This season, she has been heard as Suzuki in Madama Butterfly with Lyric Opera of Kansas City and in the title role of Carmen with Houston's Opera Ebony and with Opera Delaware.

Ms. Miller is a Metropolitan Opera competition regional prizewinner, also acquiring the Tri-Cities Opera Guild Scholarship, the Steward and Jean Wilson Scholarship, the Adele Bernstein Scholarship, the Tuesday Musical Club Scholarship, the John MacDonald Scholarship and the Barry E. Hahn Career Award.

American baritone Todd Thomas is establishing himself with companies and journalists worldwide as a true Verdi baritone. He has had tremendous success in the title roles of Verdi's Falstaff with Seattle Opera under Maestro Gerard Schwartz, Rigoletto with Des Moines Metro Opera, Nabucco for Todi Music Fest USA, Macbeth for Connecticut Grand Opera, and Amonasro in Aida with Nashville Opera and Macedonia Opera, and received international acclaim for his Count di Luna in Il trovatore for German audiences.

As a recital and concert artist, Mr. Thomas has appeared on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In a European tour of I Pagliacci, he performed Tonio in Fiesole, Pisa, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Sarlat, Luzerne, and Utrecht. Likewise, for nearly 20 seasons he has been a soloist for the Ocean City Pops Orchestra in New Jersey, as well as multiple return engagements with orchestras nationwide, including the touring divisions of Houston Grand Opera and San Francisco Opera. This evening performance marks his Carnegie Hall debut.

Over the past 23 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.

Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 895 concerts worldwide and more than 765 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

More than 2500 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New York, as have more than 100 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There have more than 300 guest conductors, 650 solo artists, and over 100,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall.

In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres.

For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Susan Case at 212-239-0205 or scase@midamerica-music.com

Tickets, at $94, 57, 35, may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at West 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in NYC. For more information, call our Box Office at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com.

***

Jean Ashworth Bartle's contribution to the art of choral music for children has evolved over three decades into one of international distinction. In 1998, Ms. Ashworth Bartle received both the Order of Ontario and the country's highest honor, the Order of Canada, for raising children's choirs and Canadian choral music for children to an unprecedented artistic standard. She was recognized in 2002 with the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, awarded at Canada House in London. In November 2003, she was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Ontario Music Educators' Association in recognition of her distinguished contribution to choral music education in Ontario. In March 2004, an award named in her honor, the Jean Ashworth Bartle Music Education Award, was established at the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto.

Ms. Ashworth Bartle has worked extensively with choirs, conductors and teachers throughout North America, Europe, Israel, South Africa, the Far East, and the Pacific Rim. She is a frequent conductor of Honor Choirs for the ACDA and conducted the National Youth Honor Choir in 2007.

Paul T. Plew, conductor, has been department chair at The Master's College in Santa Clarita, California, since 1979. He directs three choirs and teaches conducting, church music, and voice. Educated at Baptist Bible College, Pacific Lutheran University, and Westminster Choir College, he received his doctorate at Nova Southeastern University. He is incoming president of the National Association of Church Musicians (formerly Choral Conductors Guild), a member of the American Choral Directors Association, co-founder of the Santa Clarita Valley Choral Directors Association, and music pastor at Santa Clarita Baptist Church. Additionally, he makes appearances as a guest clinician, adjudicator, and conductor.

Sandra Snow is nationally recognized as a conductor and leading thinker in the field of choral pedagogy. She is associate professor of music at Michigan State University with appointments in conducting and music education. She conducts the MSU Women's Chamber Ensemble and Women's Glee Club and interacts with students in areas of conducting study, choral pedagogy, and teacher education. She is the recipient of the 2007 MSU Teacher-Scholar Award, a prestigious peer-reviewed honor.

Ms. Snow edits "In High Voice," a choral series by Boosey & Hawkes. Recent appearances include all-state and honor choirs in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas, Virginia, and North Carolina; ACDA summer conference headline appearances in Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico; and guest faculty for the Choral Music Experience Institute in York, England.

Prior to her appointment at Michigan State University, Ms. Snow held positions at the University of Michigan, Northern Illinois University, and as Music Director of the internationally celebrated Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus.

Debra Lynn is in her eighth year as associate professor of music at Manchester College where she serves as director of choral organizations and instructor of applied voice, conducting, vocal pedagogy, and choral arranging. Choral ensembles under her direction include the A Cappella Choir and Chamber Singers. Debra holds a doctor of arts in music degree with an emphasis in choral conducting and voice performance from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Prior degrees from Truman State University and William Jewell College include emphases in choral conducting, voice performance, and music education. She has served as opera chorus director for Illinois Opera Theatre and as guest conductor for various composer forums and honor choir festivals. In addition to her accomplishments as a teacher and conductor, Ms. Lynn is also a published composer.

Over the past 23 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.

Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 895 concerts worldwide and more than 760 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

More than 2500 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New York, as have more than 100 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There have more than 300 guest conductors, 650 solo artists, and over 100,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall.

In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres.

For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Susan Case at 212-239-0205 or scase@midamerica-music.com

Tickets, at $94, 57, 38, may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at West 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in NYC. For more information, call our Box Office at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com.

***

H. Robert Reynolds is the principal conductor of the wind ensemble at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. This appointment followed his retirement, after 26 years, from the School of Music of the University of Michigan where he served as the Henry F. Thurnau professor of music, director of university bands and director of the division of instrumental studies. In addition to these responsibilities, he has also been, for over 20 years, the conductor of a professional ensemble, The Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, which is made up primarily from members of the Detroit Symphony.

Professor Reynolds is past president of the College Band Directors' National Association and the Big Ten Band Directors' Association. He has received the highest national awards from Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Band Association, and the American School Band Directors' Association, and he was awarded the "Medal of Honor" by the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic. He is the recipient of a "Special Tribute" from the legislature of the State of Michigan signed by the leaders of the House, Senate and the Governor.

Joseph Reichert is the band director at Leigh High School in San José, California. In addition to the Wind Ensemble, Mr. Reichert also conducts the Concert, Symphonic and Jazz Bands. 2006-07 marks the first year for Mr. Reichert's directorship at Leigh High School. Mr. Reichert earned his bachelor's degree in music education with emphasis in percussion from New Jersey City University and has completed graduate course work at Villanova University. Mr. Reichert's professional affiliations include Music Educators National Conference, California Music Educators Association-Bay Section, and the California Band Directors Association.

Terry Sakow is presently serving in his 17th year as the director of bands at Santa Monica High School where his responsibilities include administering four wind bands, a color guard, and a marching band. Prior to his arrival, Mr. Sakow earned a BA in music from UCLA in 1989 and an MME from the University of Illinois in 1997. Mr. Sakow has studied with and continues to receive mentoring from many of our profession's most respected music educators and professional wind conductors.

Throughout his tenure at Santa Monica, the band program has grown from 80 students to over 280. Between 1995 and 2006 Mr. Sakow served as chairman of the music department. At the conclusion of his post as chairman, the music department's enrollment was in excess of 800 students. Along with his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Sakow served as a consultant during a massive renovation project of the music department building, as well as the school's state of the art performance facility, Barnum Hall.

Assistant professor, director of wind bands, and conductor of the California State University, Los Angeles Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, Abel Ramirez holds the doctor of musical arts degree in wind conducting from the University of California Los Angeles. He also holds an MME from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a BME from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Since his arrival at California State University, Los Angeles in 2002, Mr. Ramirez has raised the Wind Ensemble to a level of national prominence, receiving invitations to perform at nationally recognized music conferences. Mr. Ramirez has quickly become known for his creative programming, balancing both traditional and contemporary literature, as well as for his special interest in the commissioning of new music by American composers. His ensembles consistently received rave reviews from some of the profession's most respected wind conductors for their artistic performances each year.

A native of Pennsylvania, Gary Rosenblatt attended the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he studied trumpet under Herbert Teimeyer and Henry Vogelmuth. Mr. Rosenblatt relocated to San Antonio, Texas as a member of the Fourth U.S. Army Band, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. Upon completing his tour of duty he attended St. Mary's University where he earned a bachelor of music education degree. He also holds a masters of arts degree with a concentration in wind conducting from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Mr. Rosenblatt has been a part of the music profession for over four decades. During this time, he has taught at the middle school, high school, as well as the university levels. Most recently, Mr. Rosenblatt served as the director of bands at Health Careers High School in San Antonio, Texas. Health Careers High School is a specialized medical magnet school with an enrollment of 800 of the highest-ranking students throughout San Antonio, Texas. During his tenure, the Health Careers High School Wind Ensemble earned four consecutive sweepstakes awards while performing grade 6-level literature and while rehearsing for only one hour ten times per month.

Over the past 23 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.

Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 895 concerts worldwide and more than 760 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

More than 2500 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New York, as have more than 100 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There have more than 300 guest conductors, 650 solo artists, and over 100,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall.

In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres.

For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Susan Case at 212-239-0205 or scase@midamerica-music.com

Tickets, at $94, 57, 35, may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at West 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in NYC. For more information, call our Box Office at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com.

***

Jonathan Ng¸ conductor, received his doctorate in conducting with minors in vocal performance and pedagogy, and music history and literature from Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music, Bloomington, Indiana. He has appeared as an orchestral and choral conductor for various groups all through the U.S.. While in Bloomington, he was the associate conductor for the Bloomington Symphony and the director of music at St. Mark's United Methodist Church.

Mr. Ng received the award "The Doctoral Student Grants-in-Aid of Research" from the University Graduate School of Indiana University in 2002, which enabled him to travel and do research in England and France as a visiting scholar.

Mr. Ng received his master's degree in conducting and church music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. He performed with such world-famous orchestras as the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra under the conductors Kurt Masur, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Zdenek Macal and Joseph Flummerfelt. In addition to conducting, Mr. Ng has performed as tenor soloist in various oratorios and operas in the U.S. and Europe. He is currently the director of sacred music and arts at Catalina United Methodist Church and is a private voice instructor.

First clarinet soloist of Accademia Nazionale di S. Cecilia in Rome since 1968, conductor Vincenzo Mariozzi graduated at the Rome Conservatory. As soloist he worked with Markevich, Kurz, Previtali, Zecchi, Ceccato, Renzetti, Marriner, U. Benedetti Michelangeli, Maag, Sinopoli, Sawallisch, Giulini and Gatti. As a conductor, his career has included concerts in Spain, Belgium, Austria, France, Germany, Russia, Australia, USA and South America. Fonder and Artistic Director of Fiuggi International Festival, he debuted as orchestra conductor in the main theatres in Lima and Caracas. Mariozzi recently conducted Cosí fan tutte at Teatro Petruzzelli di Bari.

Conductor David Rayl is in his fifth year as Professor of Music and Director of Choral Programs at Michigan State University where he conducts the Chorale and Choral Union, directs the master's and doctoral programs in choral conducting, and serves as Associate Director for Graduate Studies in Music.

Under Dr. Rayl's baton, the MSU Chorale has performed at various choral conventions and with the Detroit Symphony in performances of Handel's Messiah and Mozart's Requiem. Prior to his MSU appointment, Rayl served for 12 years in a similar position at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Under his direction, the MU University Singers sang at the national convention of the ACDA in 1995, at the 27th annual Florilège Vocal in Tours, France, in 1998 and at the international music festival Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in 2000.

Rayl's appearances include the national convention of the Associação Brasileira de Regentes de Coros in Goiania, Brazil; The Phenomenon of Singing, International Symposium V, in St. John's Newfoundland; the national convention of the National Association of Teachers of Singing in Minneapolis; and the Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska High School All-State Choirs. His international engagements include performances at the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria; the V Festival di Musica Antica in Urbino, Italy; the VII Festival Internaçional de Música de Camera do Pará, in Belem, Brazil; the II Festival de Corais in Brasilia, Brazil; and the Painel Unicanto de Regencia Coral, Londrina, Brazil.

He is the former music director of the Chamber Singers of Iowa City (1985-90) and the Quad City Mozart Festival (1987-97) and has received particular notice for his performances of the choral, operatic, and orchestral repertoire of the 18th century, especially the works of Bach and Mozart.

Soprano Elizabeth Keusch is rapidly emerging as an artist to watch. She gave the world premiere of Matthias Pintscher's L'espace dernier in her debut with Opéra National de Paris in January 2005. During 2006-07 she made her debut with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Oliver Knussen's Songs for Sue, collaborated again with Helmuth Rilling and the International Bachakademie Stuttgart as Merab in Handel's Saul, sang under Norman Scribner and the DC Choral Arts Society in Poulenc's Stabat Mater and Amy Beach's Canticle to the Sun, and appeared with the Florida Orchestra under Stephan Sanderling and the Xalapa Symphony with Carlos Miguel Prieto.

Soprano Kristi Kelly's recent operatic performances include Violetta in La traviata with Riverside Opera and First Lady in The Magic Flute with Hudson Opera Theater. Other operatic performances include Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte (Martha's Vineyard Opera), Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus (New York Metro Area Vocal Arts Ensemble), Nedda (cover) in I Pagliacci (COSI), and concert versions of La bohème (Mimi) and Les contes d'Hoffman (Antonia). She was in the Natchez Opera Festival's Young Artist program in The Magic Flute and Sylviane in The Merry Widow.

Equally at home on the concert stage, Ms. Kelly has performed the Strauss Vier Letze Lieder (University of Massachusetts), Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (Fairbanks Symphony), Handel's Messiah (Commonwealth Opera), Bach Cantata No. 140 (Algona, Iowa Choral Society) and John Rutter's Requiem (St. Paul the Apostle Church of New York). Ms. Kelly has been featured in recital with the Fairbanks Symphony, the Natchez Opera Festival, New York Metro Area Vocal Artists Ensemble, and the Emily Dickinson International Society, where she sang the world premiere performance of the Lori Laitman setting of The brain is wider than the sky. Ms. Kelly has been a finalist in both the Jenny Lind Competition for Sopranos and the Connecticut Opera Guild Competition.

Hayden DeWitt has sung in such far-flung locales as the Czech and Slovak Republics, Bulgaria, South Africa, Singapore, Penang and Alaska in performances ranging from concerts to operas to musical comedies.

A lyric mezzo specializing in trouser parts, her opera roles include Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro, Romeo in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Aminta in Il re pastore, Niklausse in Les contes d'Hoffmann, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, The Composer in Ariadne auf Naxos and Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier, among others. Ms. DeWitt's world premieres include three works composed specifically for her. In May 2004, she created the role of the male protagonist, Sid, in the world premiere of The Stranger by American composer Ishmael Wallace, and in December of 2005, they collaborated once again for the premiere of Mr. Wallace's one-act opera Baggage. May 2006 saw her donning a skirt and making her bow as The Maid in performances of Mark Ettinger's new work The Triangle, featuring settings of texts by Irish poet William Butler Yeats.

In concert, Hayden has been heard as the alto soloist in major works including Vivaldi's Gloria, Bach's Johannes-Passion, Handel's Messiah, and as Isaac in Britten's Canticle II Abraham and Isaac.

Mezzo-soprano Heidi Skok performed in numerous productions at the Metropolitan Opera between 1992 and 2003, some of which include Elektra, Ariadne auf Naxos, Rigoletto, Jenufa, and Britten's Death in Venice. During the 1998-1999 MET season, she performed as Masha in Tschaikovsky's Queen of Spades, which was featured on PBS's "Live from Lincoln Center." In addition, in later seasons Ms. Skok sang in the MET's premiere of Schoenberg's Moses und Aron and again under Maestro Levine's baton as a Flowermaiden in Parsifal. Ms. Skok also performed with the companies of Pittsburgh Opera, Wolf Trap Opera and Kansas City Lyric Opera.

Renowned as a recital and concert artist, Skok participated in the Schubertiade at the 92nd Street Y. Other New York City concert appearances included Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream, Fauré's Requiem at Carnegie Hall and Positive Music at Weill Hall. She sang Mahler's Symphony No. 2 with the Puerto Rico Symphony, and Brahms's Ein Deutches Requiem with the Jacksonville Orchestra. Skok performed at the summer festival Ravinia, the Marlboro Music Festival and the Saratoga Choral Festival.

Heidi Skok's numerous prizes include The Sullivan Award, the Opera Index, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and Semi-finalist award for the Birgit Nilsson Prize.

Winner of the 1995 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, tenor Gregory Turay has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera for the last ten consecutive seasons. He returned to the Metropolitan Opera this season to reprise his portrayal of Fenton in Falstaff with Bryn Terfel, and as Jaquino in Fidelio with Karita Mattila as Leonore; both productions were conducted by James Levine. Previous appearances at the MET include Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Tamino in the acclaimed new production of Die Zauberflöte, Hylasin in Berlioz's Les Troyens, Ferrando in Così fan tutte, Camille in The Merry Widow, Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Der Jüngling in Moses und Aron conducted by James Levine, Janek in The Makropulos Case, Tybalt in Roméo et Juliette, Brighella in Ariadne auf Naxos, and Rodolfo in William Bolcom's A View From The Bridge, which Mr. Turay was honored to create in the world premiere production at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Mr. Turay has performed with the San Francisco, Santa Fe, Palm Beach, Boston Lyric, Washington Concert, and Wolf Trap operas, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and Michigan Opera Theater, and has appeared in recital and concert throughout the U.S.

From British Columbia, bass Randall Jakobsh has established an international reputation with engagements with major opera companies in Europe, South America, Canada and the United States. His roles encompass a broad spectrum of the bass repertoire, including Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, Fotis in Martinu's The Greek Passion, Pharnaces in König Kandaules, Le Spectre in Hamlet, L'Ombra di Nino in Rossini's Semiramide, Giorgio in I Puritani, Nilakantha in Lakmé, Alidoro in La Cenerentola, Escamillo in Carmen, Caspar in Der Freischütz, Raimondo in Lucia de Lammermoor, the title role in Don Giovanni, Osmin in Entführung aus dem Serail, Colline in La bohème, Pimen in Boris Godunov, both Philip II and the Grand Inquisitor in Don Carlo, and Hunding, Fasolt and Fafner in Der Ring des Nibelungen. Twentieth century roles include Nick Shadow in Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress and Claggart in Britten's Billy Budd.

Over the past 23 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.

Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 890 concerts worldwide and more than 760 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

More than 2500 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New York, as have more than 100 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There have more than 300 guest conductors, 650 solo artists, and over 100,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall.

In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres.

For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Susan Case at 212-239-0205 or scase@midamerica-music.com

Tickets, at $94, 57, 35, may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at West 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in NYC. For more information, call our Box Office at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com.

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Rodney H. Caldwell is in his twelfth year as director of choral activities at Georgia Southern University where he teaches courses in conducting and music education, is the coordinator of international studies in music, and conductors the Georgia Southern Chorale. Dr. Caldwell earned a B.A. in music education from Luther College and his M.M. and D.M.A in conducting from the University of Arizona. Prior to his appointment at Georgia Southern University, Dr. Caldwell served as assistant director of Arizona Chamber Choir, co-conductor of the Tucson Masterworks Chorale, and director of choral music for Ulysses Jr. and Sr. High Schools in Ulysses, Kansas.

In addition to his active conducting and guest-conducting schedule, Dr. Caldwell has served the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and American Chorale Directors Association (ACDA) as the Georgia All College Chorus Chair, College Division Chair, R & S Chair for Youth and Student Activities, and is the current Georgia ACDA College and University R & S Chair. Dr. Caldwell is also on the planning committee for the 50th Anniversary National ACDA Conference to be held in 2009 in Oklahoma City, OK.

Stephen Town, professor of music at Northwest Missouri State University, was educated at the University of North Texas (B.M., M.M.) and Indiana University (D.M. with distinction). In 1986, he joined the music faculty at Northwest, where his pedagogical responsibilities include the Tower Choir, applied voice, music theory, and aural skills training. Dr. Town has appeared in international, national, regional, and state conventions and symposia as a singer, a musicologist, and as a conductor.

His teaching experiences have been quite diverse, ranging from the music ministry in churches of various denominations to visiting professorships at institutions of higher education. In 1996, he taught at Imperial College, London, England. He appears frequently as a recitalist, soloist, adjudicator, conductor-clinician, and lecturer, and he is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and of the American Choral Directors.

Steven Accatino has taught music in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District for 33 years. Currently the director of instrumental music at Ygnacio Valley High School, he is in his twenty-seventh year at the school. He is responsible for conducting the Wind Ensemble, the Symphonic Band, the Jazz Ensemble, the Chamber Orchestra, and the Marching Band.

Mr. Accatino received his Associate in Arts degree from Diablo Valley College, Bachelor of Arts degree in clarinet performance from California State University, Hayward, and Master of Science degree in Fine and Performing Arts from Southern Oregon State University, in Ashland, Oregon. He is currently enrolled in the Advanced Study Group at Southern Oregon, a course of study leading to a Doctoral Degree.

Mr. Accatino has been recognized by the MENC in their national certification program. In January 1995, Mr. Accatino was one of 125 people selected nationwide to participate in the Robert Shaw conducting workshop at Carnegie Hall in New York. He has been a Mentor Teacher in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. His bands have performed for five U.S. presidents. In addition, he has been awarded the Order of the Phoenix by the Western International Band Clinic, and is included in six of the most recent editions of "Who's Who Among America's Teachers." He is also included in the 2006, 60th edition of "Who's Who in America." Mr. Accatino is the Music Caption Chairman of the Pacific Coast Judges Association, and serves on their Board of Directors as vice president. He is also on the Board of Directors of the California Band Director's Association, and serves as the statewide treasurer for that organization. He is on the staff of the American Band College at Southern Oregon University.

Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse, artistic director and principal conductor of the New England Symphonic Ensemble, is a violinist, pianist, composer, and conductor. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Boston University, and the Peabody Conservatory, Dr. Rittenhouse has performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Africa, and the West Indies. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the London Associate Board Overseas Award, the New York Concert Artists Guild Award, the International Music Guild Award, and the New York Madrigal Society Award.

New England Symphonic Ensemble was organized more than two decades ago by Dr. Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse. Since 1982 the ensemble has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, Russia, and Israel, and has performed frequently at Carnegie Hall under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions.

Over the past 23 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.

Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 895 concerts worldwide and more than 760 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

More than 2500 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New York, as have more than 100 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There have more than 300 guest conductors, 650 solo artists, and over 100,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall.

In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres.

For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Susan Case at 212-239-0205 or scase@midamerica-music.com

General admission tickets to Weill Recital Hall concerts are $35. Tickets may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, by going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at 57th Street and 7th Avenue. $15 tickets for students and seniors (with proper ID) are available at the Carnegie Box Office. Weill Recital Hall is located at 154 West 57th Street. For more information, call MidAmerica Productions at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com.

***

A native of Israel, Matitiahu Braun came to America in 1962 to study at The Julliard School with Joseph Fuchs after graduating from the Israel Academy in Tel Aviv. At Julliard he received Artist and Post-graduate diplomas and was the recipient of the prestigious Naumburg Prize. After stints with the Musica Aeterna Orchestra and Denver Symphony, he joined the New York Philharmonic, a position he held from 1969 until 2006. He also served as Principal and Solo Violist with the Dallas Symphony in the late 1970s. Known as a recitalist and chamber musician, he also enjoys his role as teacher, working privately with students and professionals, as a coach for orchestra and chamber music groups, and presenting master classes on both violin and viola, most recently in Israel, Finland, Japan, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, and the New York metropolitan area. Recently retired from the New York Philharmonic, Mr. Braun resides in the Orlando area where he teaches at Rollins College and has private students in both violin and viola.

Cellist Gerald Appleman, a graduate of The Juilliard School, has played in numerous orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra as one of the youngest ever principal cellists. He served the New York Philharmonic 32 years, much of it as assistant principal. He participated in the Marlboro Music Festival and the Festival Casals and played with many chamber music groups, including the New York Philomusica and the Montclair Chamber Music Society.

Hélène Jeanney, piano, a native of Paris, France, has degrees from the Paris Music Conservatory, The Juilliard School, and Indiana University. She has studied and performed at the Mozarteum Academy and the Banff Center of Fine Arts. Throughout her career, she has worked with several artists and teachers, including Germaine Mounier, Yevgeni Malinin, Gaby Casadesus, Nikita Magaloff, Gyorgy Sebok, Menahem Pressler, to whom she was assistant professor at Indiana University, and Isaac Stern.

As a recitalist, she has performed throughout Europe, Russia, Australia, and the U.S. She has been a soloist with the Paris National Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, New World Symphony, and Indianapolis Symphony. She also appears frequently with the New York Philharmonic Ensembles at Merkin Concert Hall.

Ms. Jeanney has received several top awards, including prizes in the Robert Casadesus Competition, Thomas Richner Competition, Chopin National Competition, New York Chopin Association, and first prize in the East and West Artists Audition for a New York debut recital in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. She is currently a faculty member at the French-American Conservatory of Music at Carnegie Hall and the Hoff-Barthelson Music School in Scarsdale.

Since 1989, MidAmerica Productions has produced over 270 chamber concerts in Weill Recital Hall, presenting some of the most exciting chamber musicians working today. For more information about this concert or MidAmerica Productions contact Susan Case at 212-239-0205 or visit www.midamerica-music.com.

Since 1989, MidAmerica Productions has produced over 265 chamber concerts in Weill Recital Hall, presenting some of the most exciting chamber musicians working today. For more information about this concert or MidAmerica Productions contact Susan Case at 212-239-0205 or visit www.midamerica-music.com.

Tickets, at $94, 57, 35, may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at West 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in NYC. For more information, call our Box Office at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com.

***

Earl Rivers is Music Director and Conductor of the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati (VAE), a professional chamber choir. He is Director of Choral Studies and Head of the Division of Ensembles and Conducting at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Rivers has conducted CCM's choral and orchestral forces in acclaimed university and regional premieres of Philip Glass's Symphony No. 5 and John Adams's On the Transmigration of Souls. He has led the CCM Chamber Choir in a cycle of J.S. Bach's masterworks-B Minor Mass, Christmas Oratorio, St. John Passion and St. Matthew Passion-and before National and Division Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. Recent guest conducting and teaching have taken him to South Korea, Taiwan and South America. He is a recipient of Choral America's "Michael Korn Founders Award for Development of the Choral Art," honoring a lifetime of significant contributions to the professional choral art. This spring at CCM he conducts Stravinsky's Les Noces and Symphony of Psalms and leads the VAE and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra in the regional premiere of Robert Levin's completion of Mozart's C Minor Mass, K. 417. Rivers is a member of the Board of Directors of Chorus America.

A native of Portugal, Rui Massena received his licentiate degree in orchestra conducting at the Academia Nacional Superior de Orquestra, in Lisbon, and continued his studies in Italy and France. He has been the head conductor of the Madeira Classical Orchestra since 2000. He is the pedagogical director of the Conservatório Escola-das-Artes da Madeira and has been artistic director of the Madeira Music International Competition since 2005.

Massena has conducted orchestras in some of the most prestigious theaters in the world-Dvorák Hall in Prague, Tonhalle in Zurich, La Fenice in Venice. He has conducted José Carreras, José Cura, Mark Zeltser, Eva Maria Zuk and Svetla Vassileva among many others, and led orchestras in Portugal, Italy, Mexico, Finland, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Canada and Czech Republic. He also maintains an interest in composing and is the author of several adaptations of symphonic works to other musical styles.

Susanna Pescetti studied piano and composition at the San Pietro a Majella Conservatoire in Naples, and later, conducting at the Pescara Academy. She teaches piano at the Venice B. Marcello Conservatoire. She has conducted in France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Norway, Albany, Russia, Mexico, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria, with orchestras including Orquesta Sinfonica de Guanajuato, Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico, Orquestra Classica da Madeira, Orchestra Filarmonica de Stat Iasi, Orchestra Sinfonica del Friuli, Orchestra Sinfonica di Bari, Orchestra Sinfonica Abruzzese, Orchestra da Camera I Solisti del Teatro S. Carlo, Orchestra Sinfonica Teatro G. Verdi di Salerno, Orchestra da Camera del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, and Orquesta de Acapulco. She has performed in major concert halls throughout Europe with soloists including G. Albertazzi, P. Micol, M. Dragoni, C. Gasdia, K. Ricciarelli, C. Remigio, U. Gregoretti, M. Scaparro, etc. She recorded the premiere of composer Nicola Sani's opera Una Favola per caso at the Rovigo Theatre on R.A.I. and Musicaimmagine Records, and in Naples Theatre Mercadante the premiere recording of Pietro Mascagni's In Filanda on the Bongiovanni Label. She is the musical director of Naples Chamber Soloists.

Antonio Di Cristofano completed his piano studies in 1986 at the Conservatory L. Cherubini in Florence. He performs both as a piano soloist and in different musical ensembles; as a soloist he played with the Orchestra of the University of Milan, the Strings Orchestra "Cantelli" of Milan, the Chamber Orchestra of Florence, the Symphony Orchestra of Lecce, the Magna Grecia Orchestra, the Sicily Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra Tchaikovsky, the Philarmonic Orchestra of Bucarest, the Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico, the University Orchestra of Houston, the Istanbul Chamber Orchestra, the North Czech Philarmonic, and the Toronto Chamber Orchestra, among others. He has played at many important festivals throughout Italy and the rest of Europe, and in Mexico, the United States, and South Korea. He recently recorded a CD of Schubert's music.

Maria Carola, soprano, was the winner of the "Giovani Talenti 2000" International Vocal Competition in Naples, and the second edition of the Bevagna City international vocal competition. She debuted in Avellino and Aversa as Doralba in Cimarosa's L'impresario in angustie, directed by Roberto De Simone. Ms. Carola performed Verdi's Messa da Requiem at the Gasteig Theater of Munich. Opera performances include Elektra by Strauss, in the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma; Leonora in Verdi's Il trovatore in the summer Festival of Terme di Caracalla in Rome; Giselda in Verdi's I Lombardi alla prima crociata, at Teatro Colòn de Buenos Aires; the title role in Donizetti's Maria Stuarda at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma and the Frankfurt Stadttheater; the title role of Aida at Terme di Caracalla; and Micaela in Carmen, for Rome Opera.

Reveka Evangelia Mavrovitis, mezzo-soprano, returns to the Metropolitan Opera during the 2006-2007 season for productions of Madama Butterfly, La traviata and Suor Angelica. Other productions at the Met over the past 12 years include Carmen (Mercedes), Manon (Rosette), Sly (Rosalina), Fedora (Dimitri), and The Merry Widow (Olga).

Ms. Mavrovitis made her Carnegie Hall debut with MidAmerica Productions in Mozart's Requiem and returned to sing the role of Elektra in the US Premiere of Mikis Theodorakis's Elektra. She has appeared as soloist with numerous symphony orchestras, including the Minneapolis Orchestra, San Francisco Pops, Sacramento Symphony, The Phiharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and the Little Orchestra Society of New York. She has been engaged by the San Francisco Opera, Opera De Lyon, Spoleta Festival, Charleston, San Jose Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Palm Beach Opera, and Sarasota Opera, to name just a few.

Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse, artistic director and principal conductor of the New England Symphonic Ensemble, is a violinist, pianist, composer, and conductor. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Boston University, and the Peabody Conservatory, Dr. Rittenhouse has performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Africa, and the West Indies. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the London Associate Board Overseas Award, the New York Concert Artists Guild Award, the International Music Guild Award, and the New York Madrigal Society Award.

New England Symphonic Ensemble was organized more than two decades ago by Dr. Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse. Since 1982 the ensemble has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, Russia, and Israel, and has performed frequently at Carnegie Hall under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions.

Over the past 23 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.

Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 890 concerts worldwide and more than 760 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

More than 2500 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New York, as have some 100 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There have been more than 300 guest conductors, 650 solo artists, and 100,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall.

In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 35 World Premieres, 20 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres.

For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Susan Case at 212-239-0205 or scase@midamerica-music.com